Insight Programme Review

It was fantastic to be a part of the Teach First community. I gained the valuable opportunity of meeting and working alongside like-minded students from across a varied range of courses and universities all over the UK. The insight opened by eyes to teaching as a possible alternative career path.

The organisation ensures that all successful applicants feel welcomed and valued and their individual and varied skill sets important and appreciated. Every individual feels like they can contribute to the organisation in some way or another. Teach First has a team of friendly and approachable staff, all with forward-thinking attitudes.

The Teach First organisation was committed to supporting and encouraging successful applicants from the start. The organisation provided a plethora of support materials to ensure every successful applicant maximally benefitted from the insight and furthered our personal development, from the time of confirmation of a successful application to even after the insight.

Because I study a vocational degree, the insight did not directly contribute to my defined career path. However, teaching in some form is a part of most careers. Therefore gaining and practicing this skill, along with those of teamwork, communication and networking, has been invaluable to my personal development and future career.

All successful applicants had access to the timetable before and well in advance of attending the insight. The timetable was efficient, effective and in a systematic and cohesive manner, with later activities developing upon earlier ideas in the insight. The timetable was loaded but participants were still given sufficient rest.

The general atmosphere of the organisation is open and friendly. Successful applicants come from a range of social, economic and ethnic backgrounds, all of which are welcomed. Teach First advocates a positive working environment where constructive feedback from peers and staff is strongly promoted. Enthusiastic participants are supported and encouraged.

Included in the insight timetable were a number of sessions covering the next steps available to us in our journey with the Teach First organisation. Relevant information was provided in the form of short talks as well as digitally. The short talks were given from personal insights by employed staff.

During the application process I received a phone call from a member of the Teach First team. During the call and from the subsequent, advised research I carried out, the strong ethos and culture of Teach First stood out from other organisations. Naturally, these ideas were firmly cemented during the insight.

My opinion towards my future career path is still largely unchanged after the insight - I will continue on the career path that my vocational degree paves for me. However, I now have a greater appreciation of teaching and its importance; therefore, I will incorporate it into my future career. I have already taken steps towards this.

This was not a paid internship. Overnight accommodation was arranged in advance and paid for by the organisation. For travel, up to £50 was 100% reimbursed, up to £80 was 50% reimbursed and anything over £80 was a personal cost. I received reimbursement not long after the insight with no problems.

During the insight, there were few opportunities to interact and network with the other participants outside of the icebreakers at the start and meals eaten together in the office space. There are numerous opportunities to network with the Teach First team but a limited number of other organisations were present at the short networking event.

My recommendation depends on the current degree and career prospects of the friend. The insight with Teach First is more and vastly beneficial for students who consider a career in teaching when there are obvious advantages and gateways into more advanced courses. The insight is less beneficial for other students, although the skills gained are definitely transferable.